Benzema Absent As Sex Tape Blackmail Trial Begins

By: Hamilton Nwosa
Cat:
Sports

Related stories

The trial of Real Madrid FC striker, Karim Benzema for attempted blackmail linked to a sex tape featuring his former France team mate, Mathieu Valbuena started in Versailles on Wednesday.

Benzema was not present in court, with his lawyers citing his professional obligations.

He played with Real in the Champions League against Shakhtar Donetsk in Kiev the previous night, and faces a Spanish League Clasico against Barcelona on Sunday.

The 33-year-old Benzema is accused of being complicit in the attempt to blackmail Valbuena, who was threatened in a phone call in June 2015 with the publication of the video.

Benzema was allegedly involved in “aiding and abetting an extortion attempt.”

He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros (88,000 dollars), according to prosecutors.

Four other men said to be involved in the affair are also charged at the trial expected to last until Friday.

Due to the involvement in the affair, Benzema missed the 2016 European Championship in France, their World Cup win in 2018 and only returned to the national team this summer.

The player’s defence has rejected the allegations and on Tuesday the L’Equipe sports daily again quoted his lawyers demanding he be cleared.

NDN
(dpa/nan)
(dpa/nan)
Hamilton Nwosa is an experienced, and committed communication, business, administrative, data and research specialist . His deep knowledge of the intersection between communication, business, data, and journalism are quite profound. His passion for professional excellence remains the guiding principle of his work, and in the course of his career spanning sectors such as administration, tourism, business management, communication and journalism, Hamilton has won key awards. He is a delightful writer, researcher and data analyst. He loves team-work, problem-solving, organizational management, communication strategy, and enjoys travelling. He can be reached at: hamilton_68@yahoo.com

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from up to 5 devices at once

[tds_leads input_placeholder="Your email address" btn_horiz_align="content-horiz-center" pp_msg="SSd2ZSUyMHJlYWQlMjBhbmQlMjBhY2NlcHQlMjB0aGUlMjAlM0NhJTIwaHJlZiUzRCUyMiUyMyUyMiUzRVByaXZhY3klMjBQb2xpY3klM0MlMkZhJTNFLg==" pp_checkbox="yes" tdc_css="eyJhbGwiOnsibWFyZ2luLXRvcCI6IjMwIiwibWFyZ2luLWJvdHRvbSI6IjQwIiwiZGlzcGxheSI6IiJ9LCJwb3J0cmFpdCI6eyJtYXJnaW4tdG9wIjoiMTUiLCJtYXJnaW4tYm90dG9tIjoiMjUiLCJkaXNwbGF5IjoiIn0sInBvcnRyYWl0X21heF93aWR0aCI6MTAxOCwicG9ydHJhaXRfbWluX3dpZHRoIjo3NjgsImxhbmRzY2FwZSI6eyJtYXJnaW4tdG9wIjoiMjAiLCJtYXJnaW4tYm90dG9tIjoiMzAiLCJkaXNwbGF5IjoiIn0sImxhbmRzY2FwZV9tYXhfd2lkdGgiOjExNDAsImxhbmRzY2FwZV9taW5fd2lkdGgiOjEwMTksInBob25lIjp7Im1hcmdpbi10b3AiOiIyMCIsImRpc3BsYXkiOiIifSwicGhvbmVfbWF4X3dpZHRoIjo3Njd9" display="column" gap="eyJhbGwiOiIyMCIsInBvcnRyYWl0IjoiMTAiLCJsYW5kc2NhcGUiOiIxNSJ9" f_msg_font_family="downtown-sans-serif-font_global" f_input_font_family="downtown-sans-serif-font_global" f_btn_font_family="downtown-sans-serif-font_global" f_pp_font_family="downtown-serif-font_global" f_pp_font_size="eyJhbGwiOiIxNSIsInBvcnRyYWl0IjoiMTEifQ==" f_btn_font_weight="700" f_btn_font_size="eyJhbGwiOiIxMyIsInBvcnRyYWl0IjoiMTEifQ==" f_btn_font_transform="uppercase" btn_text="Unlock All" btn_bg="#000000" btn_padd="eyJhbGwiOiIxOCIsImxhbmRzY2FwZSI6IjE0IiwicG9ydHJhaXQiOiIxNCJ9" input_padd="eyJhbGwiOiIxNSIsImxhbmRzY2FwZSI6IjEyIiwicG9ydHJhaXQiOiIxMCJ9" pp_check_color_a="#000000" f_pp_font_weight="600" pp_check_square="#000000" msg_composer="" pp_check_color="rgba(0,0,0,0.56)" msg_succ_radius="0" msg_err_radius="0" input_border="1" f_unsub_font_family="downtown-sans-serif-font_global" f_msg_font_size="eyJhbGwiOiIxMyIsInBvcnRyYWl0IjoiMTIifQ==" f_input_font_size="eyJhbGwiOiIxNCIsInBvcnRyYWl0IjoiMTIifQ==" f_input_font_weight="500" f_msg_font_weight="500" f_unsub_font_weight="500"]

Latest stories

Previous article
Chelsea Boss, Tuchel Reveals Club’s Biggest Rival This Season
Next article
Sierra Leone Defeats Nigeria At Six-day Bilateral Cricket Match

We stand for ethical journalism, press freedom, accountable Republic, and gender-equity. That is why at The New Diplomat, we are committed to speaking truth to power, fostering a robust community of responsible journalism.

© 2023 The New Diplomat Multimedia Limited. All Rights Reserved.

Latest News
TikTok’s CEO used to work for Mark Zuckerberg as a Facebook intern. Just one decade later, he’s become one of Meta’s fiercest competitorsFirst Bank Crisis: Uncertainty Over Oba Otudeko’s Whereabout, Debunks Charges As EFCC Closes in Over Alleged FraudTax Reform Bills: Why We Caved In to FG, We Were Initially Misled, By Gov Sule On Northern Govs' Volte-faceCanada ready to reveal initial retaliation plan Monday if Trump makes good on tariff threat: sourcesFresh Drama As Lagos Assembly Elects New Principal OfficersBarricaded Secretariat: Wike, Fubara Camps Bicker As Rivers PDP Crisis SkyrocketsTrump Is Wrong. The US Does Not Subsidize CanadaTears As Eminent Journalist, Nduka Otiono’s Mother, Madam Benedicta Otiono Goes Home Today At 91Tinubu Felicitates With Okonjo-Iweala, Fola Adeola, Adesina On Receiving Key UNILAG'S Honorary Doctorate AwardsBreaking: EFCC Files Charges Against Otudeko, Ex-First Bank MD Onasanya Monday over alleged N12.3bn fraud[Video] Drama As Senator Angrily Walks Out As IGP Egbetokun Presents Police BudgetFinally, Nigerian Governors Declare Support for Tinubu’s Tax Reform BillsHow Dangote Refinery Has Affected Petrol Production In the European Market -- OPEC[VIDEO] Pomp and Pegeantry As Uzodinma Holds Stunning Wedding Anniversary EventFirst Bank Vs GHL: Legal Dispute Escalates As Crude Oil Cargo Owned By General Hydrocarbons Limited is Detained
X whatsapp